G. Massey

Painting Contractor

George Edward Massey, whose company painted Fort Lauderdale Stadium and Parker Playhouse, died on Saturday at Broward General Medical Center after a long illness. He was 73.

Born in Sheffield, Ala., and the third of three sons, Mr. Massey was known as ``Big Ed`` while he was a star center on the Oglethorpe University football team in Atlanta.

He turned down an offer to play professionally for $100 a week in the 1930s, said his son, George Jr.

After college, Mr. Massey moved to Gadsden, Ala., where his parents had moved, and at age 25 bought a riverboat that he turned into a showboat, complete with a casino and room for a 13-piece orchestra.

During World War II, Mr. Massey served in both the Navy and the Army and was honorably discharged. He married the former Ruby Viola Nordquist in Miami in 1946. They settled in Fort Lauderdale about 1949.

Mr. Massey started his painting contracting business shortly thereafter and it grew to be one of the largest in South Florida, with more than 60 employees.

Mr. Massey was a member of the Touchdown Club and the Elks. He is survived by his wife; two sons; three daughters, Claudia Lane, Cythia McEnaney and Cheryl Massey; two grandsons and three granddaughters, all of Fort Lauderdale.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Blackburn Funeral Home, 718 S. Federal Highway. The service will be at the funeral home Wednesday at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Lauderdale Memorial Park.